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Chicago attorney Frank Sommario received the Justinian Society of Lawyers 2021 Award of Excellence at a Nov. 18 gala at Gibson’s Italia. The award was presented by Justinian President Dion Davi. “I am humbled to be the 2021 Award of Excellence recipient,” Sommario says. “I have been a member since my first year of law school, and being recognized in this way is a great honor.” A senior partner at the law firm of Romanucci & Blandin, Sommario is a past Justinian president and currently serves on the society’s executive committee as its comptroller.  

Do you know someone with a compelling story about achieving the Italian-American dream? The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has launched an oral history project to preserve these stories for posterity. The project gathers tales of adversity and triumph in the transition from life in Italy to life in America. Interviewees share their own life experiences or anecdotes told to them by their parents and grandparents. The videos meld audio recordings with evocative historical photos. Here are a few of the oral histories that have been archived so far: John Cavallone follows his great-grandparents’ journey from Sassano, Italy, to …

After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the bocce courts at the Mazzini Verdi Club opened for business last July. The women’s bocce league at the club took full advantage, launching a weekly tournament that lasted through November. Out of a field of 25 players, six finalists competed for top honors. The victors were Roberta Tofanelli, first place; Pina Lepri, second place; and Lilia Leonardi Juarez, third place. The league will embark on its spring season in April.

The Associazione Lucchesi Nel Mondo celebrated its 50th anniversary with a ceremony saluting 12 noteworthy individuals from around the world who trace their lineage back to the province of Lucca. Honorees have distinguished themselves in the areas of business and volunteerism, contributing to the economic and social growth of the nations in which they currently reside. A pair of Chicago-area residents — Steve Menconi and Perry DiGirolamo — were among the recipients of the Medaglie D’Oro. They received their awards on Sept. 13 in the city of Lucca. Born in Chicago, Menconi traces his roots to Massa Macinaia in the province …

The Harlem Avenue Little Italy Business Association hosted Sagra della Castagne on Nov. 18 at BarTucci’s in Chicago. Coals were stoked, chestnuts were roasted and homemade wine was served, along with biscotti for dipping, all thanks to the Sicilian Bakery. The event was organized by HALIBA members Teresa Gianni and Jason Quaglia, whose parents grew up in the neighboring towns of Rocchetta and Castel San Vincenzo in the Molise and Abruzzo regions of Italy. Quaglia introduced attendees to cacciocavallo impaccato, an Abruzzese tradition featuring coal-roasted cheese scraped onto toasted bread, a treat provided by Il Mulino Bakery. To learn more …

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin, hosted “Another Afternoon with Frank” on Nov. 12 at Orland Chateau in Orland Park. Grand Lodge President Paul Loparco welcomed guests, thanking those who donated gift baskets to be raffled off, then introduced the star of the show. Crooner Paul Bulanda wowed the crowd with his spot-on impersonations of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Neal Diamond and more. Proceeds from the event benefited local and national charities.

John Curry will ascend to the presidency of the Columbian Club of Chicago at a black-tie installation dinner on Jan. 29 at Medinah Country Club. For reservations, call Victor Guerrieri at 773-391-0882. Curry joined the Columbian Club in 2009. “I became interested after listening to my dearly departed friend Tony Morizzo talk about club events over dinner,” Curry recalls. “I was particularly interested in how members considered the Columbians to be an Italian-American businessman’s club, not just an Italian-American club, with a mission to promote our heritage and assist the community. “Being a member of the Columbian is like having …

Local Italian instructor Cristina Modica was among four educators honored last year by the Italian Language Foundation. Bilingual from childhood, Modica studied Italian at the Italian Cultural Center in Stone Park throughout elementary school. She took language classes in high school, and majored in Italian and international business at Dominican University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Modica taught Italian at the cultural center while earning her master’s degree in teaching with a concentration in English and world language methodology from DePaul University. She has been teaching Italian at Maine South High School in Park Ridge for more than 20 …

The Italian tricolors were proudly flown at nine Chicago-area libraries throughout the month of October thanks to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. The initiative was spearheaded by Cav. Uff. Lyn Scolaro, JCCIA third vice president and education committee chair. Italian books, decorations, photos, toys and other realia were among the items on display at the public libraries in Addison, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Elk Grove Village, Elmwood Park, Melrose Park and Wood Dale as well as the libraries at Washington Irving School in Oak Park and Resurrection College Prep High School in Chicago. The following individuals and organizations donated funds …

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame presented multisport luminary Jerry Colangelo with the Mario Andretti Lifetime Achievement Award at a gala and induction ceremony at the Westin O’Hare on Dec. 10. “When the hall of fame needed help making the move to Taylor Street, Jerry Colangelo was there. As we open a new chapter in the hall’s history, Jerry Colangelo is still by our side,” says NIASHF President Ron Onesti. “He has always understood our goal of honoring those sports luminaries who shine such a positive light on the Italian-American experience.” This year’s inductees are Chicago Wolves defenseman …